Hardy Amies, the grand old British fashion house and couturier to the Queen, faces an inelegant move into administration after investors decided they could no longer finance the loss-making business.

The Savile Row-based designer, whose heritage dates to 1946, said it had requested further support on Thursday afternoon from Arev Brands, an investment business which holds a 49.3 per cent stake in the company. But Hardy Amies said Arev was unable to provide the finance required.